Vice Lord Lieutenant

The appointment of East Sussex’s’s Vice Lord Lieutenant, Sara Stonor DL, of Burwash, was announced in the London Gazette in October 2008.

Mrs Stonor was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant in August 2001.

As Vice Lord Lieutenant, she supports the Lord Lieutenant Peter Field and attends many community and civic functions when he is unavailable. Here you can see her joining the Crowborough Street Pastors on their evening tour.

Vice Lord Lieutenant with Crowborough Street Pastors

Sara is married to Michael a retired solicitor and they have two children and three grandchildren.

She was the first woman and first Lay Member of Chapter to be appointed to Chichester Cathedral Chapter in 2002, a post she still holds. She is a Member of the Cathedral Council, Trustee of St Mary’s Almshouses, Member of the Provincial Panel for the Clergy Discipline Measure, Member of the Executive of the Association of English Cathedrals and Member of the Chichester Diocesan Synod. Sara is also Vice-Chairman of the Trustees of the iconic De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea and has been involved with many Sussex Charities. Sara is a embroiderer and needlework teacher. She specialises in canvaswork and works with clients from all over England.

Deputy Lieutenants

There are a maximum of 49 active Deputy Lieutenant appointments allowable for East Sussex – currently there are 38 assisting the Lord Lieutenant. The number is based on a formula (contained in the Lieutenancy Act 1997) relating to the population of the County . That may sound a lot but East Sussex has approx. 850,000 people who live in one city and many villages and towns.

Deputy Lieutenants come from all walks of life and all parts of the County and are honoured for their contribution to the Nation and/or the County.

The Lord Lieutenant leads this influential network of Deputy Lieutenants and provides the organisation for their individual networks to interlock for the benefit of East Sussex’s varied communities.

Their local and specialist knowledge and experience is increasingly being used to positive effect in key sectors ranging from education to youth services, and from business and the rural economy to social welfare.

They are the eyes and ears of the Lieutenancy in our local communities and liaise closely with the local authorities with whom we have much common cause.

They advise on events potentially warranting Royal visits, on how local people can put forward others suitable for honours or for invitations to Buckingham Palace Garden Parties, and on anniversaries warranting a message from The Queen.

They also advise on how community organisations can gain recognition in The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This award recognises the vital role played by the thousands of unsung heroes of the voluntary and community world which we in the Lieutenancy believe it is important to celebrate and encourage.

The Lieutenancy operates a community information service (entitled Lieutenancy in the Community) whereupon Deputy Lieutenants will attend a community group meeting, or a school, or a local organisation such as the Rotary or the Womens’ Institute to explain the history of the Lieutenancy, its relevance to the local community and how it can help you. Click here for details.

Deputy Lieutenants by alphabetical listing can be found by following this link (further information can be found here >>):

The Lieutenancy in East Sussex

You and your community group, be it association, charity, club or specific interest group can learn all about the Lieutenancy in East Sussex, its history, what it does and what it can do for you. Make contact through Lieutenancy in the Community. You will find the link in this site. Our Deputy Lieutenants are happy to come and give a presentation by arrangement. Topics typically covered are the history of the Lieutenancy, Queen’s Awards, Honours, and community support,

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Lord Lieutenant Message

East Sussex is a beautiful County with a rich history. Its citizens are friendly and welcoming, but we do have areas of deprivation and we all need support from time to time. If you live in our County, whether it be in the city and urban environment or in a rural area I would like to urge you to get involved, by volunteering if you can or by taking an active part in whatever way is appropriate for you to enhance both our environment and the lives of those who live in it.